UNIFORM | The Hawaiian Shirt

Photo by Mister Mort.
Hawaiian shirts are hot items—and I sincerely hope I'm not saying that because I've fallen into some sort of permanent Southern California haze that I can't see beyond. Aloha shirts have come back into fashion for guys for a few years now, but of course have consistently and rightly been "a thing" for some of us, especially vintage clothing experts, ever since they were popularized by G.I.s returning home from Hawaii. Much more recently though, I've been seeing Hawaiian shirts on girls and forward-thinking brands marketing them as unisex or even solely for women. There's the Whit for Madewell collection (not pictured), the just-released unisex KISSES X Arrowhead aloha shirt ($60), and the unisex Levi's Vintage Clothing 1950s Hawaiian Shirt ($210). What do you think, yes or no on Hawaiian shirts this summer?

Hey there TbS,For a preppy take on the Hawaiian shirt, google Reyn Spooner. They were d'rigueur for the west coast prepster in the 80's. My hubby sported them all through college. Also, in Honolulu, the RS was the tropical "suit and tie" for all white collared professionals, attorneys, engineers, business man etc. George Clooney wears them well in The Descendents.Best,Charlotte

I'll be honest, I used to think they were cheesy and totally dismissed them. However, after a friend showed me his Hawaiian shirt collection and waxed on about how awesome they were, I decided to pick one up. It's amazing. It's like wearing a tropical breeze.

I have been contemplating the Van Doren hawaiian print shoes for summer.. not a committment like a whole shirt. but just enough.. http://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/style/scq7ss.html?categoryId=152606&colorCode=SCQ7SRhttp://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/style/qevvdr.html?categoryId=152606&colorCode=QEV6G4

definitely yes for summer! love the OP's tip re Reyn Spooner, really subtle not garish. would love to find similar vintage versions for me as well as hubby. ditto shoes/bags a good option, has been my go-to for a hint of hawaii. american eagle used to do pretty nice shirts/surf style about a decade or so ago.